U.S. patent application number 13/270621 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-18 for structure for mounting transmission to vehicle body and bracket for mounting transmission to vehicle body.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kia Motors Corp.. Invention is credited to Min Sung Baik, Kyoung Wook Kim, Moo Suk Kim, Hyun Ku Lee.
Application Number | 20120261543 13/270621 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46935641 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120261543 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Hyun Ku ; et
al. |
October 18, 2012 |
STRUCTURE FOR MOUNTING TRANSMISSION TO VEHICLE BODY AND BRACKET FOR
MOUNTING TRANSMISSION TO VEHICLE BODY
Abstract
A structure for mounting a transmission to a vehicle body may
include a transmission mounting bracket coupled both to a
transmission casing of the transmission and to a rear cover coupled
to the transmission casing, wherein the transmission mounting
bracket may be coupled to an insulator, and the insulator may be
mounted to the vehicle body.
Inventors: |
Lee; Hyun Ku; (Seoul,
KR) ; Baik; Min Sung; (Seoul, KR) ; Kim; Moo
Suk; (Hwaseong-si, KR) ; Kim; Kyoung Wook;
(Seongnam-si, KR) |
Assignee: |
Kia Motors Corp.
Seoul
KR
Hyundai Motor Company
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
46935641 |
Appl. No.: |
13/270621 |
Filed: |
October 11, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/638 ;
248/674 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60K 17/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/638 ;
248/674 |
International
Class: |
F16M 13/02 20060101
F16M013/02; F16F 7/00 20060101 F16F007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 18, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0035521 |
Claims
1. A structure for mounting a transmission to a vehicle body,
comprising a transmission mounting bracket coupled both to a
transmission casing of the transmission and to a rear cover coupled
to the transmission casing, wherein the transmission mounting
bracket is coupled to an insulator, and the insulator is mounted to
the vehicle body.
2. The structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the transmission
mounting bracket is coupled both to an upper end of the
transmission casing and a rear surface of the rear cover that faces
the vehicle body.
3. The structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the transmission
mounting bracket is coupled to the upper end of the transmission
casing by bolts at at least four fastening points, and the
transmission mounting bracket is coupled to the rear cover by a
bolt at at least one fastening point.
4. The structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein a position at
which the transmission mounting bracket is coupled to the rear
cover is adjacent to the upper end of the transmission casing.
5. A bracket for mounting a transmission to a vehicle body,
comprising: a base plate coupled to a transmission casing of the
transmission; a rear flange bent from the base plate and extending
in a predetermined length therefrom, the rear flange being coupled
to an insulator; and a flange boss extending from the rear flange,
the flange boss being coupled to a rear cover coupled to the
transmission casing of the transmission.
6. The bracket as set forth in claim 5, wherein the insulator is
mounted to the vehicle body.
7. The bracket as set forth in claim 6, wherein the base plate is
coupled to an upper end of the transmission casing, and the flange
boss extends downwards with respect to the base plate and is
coupled to a rear surface of the rear cover that faces the vehicle
body.
8. The bracket as set forth in claim 7, wherein at least four bolt
holes are formed through the base plate so that the base plate is
coupled to the upper end of the transmission casing by bolts
through the bolt holes, and at least one bolt hole is formed
through the flange boss so that the flange boss is coupled to the
rear surface of the rear cover by a bolt through the bolt hole.
9. The bracket as set forth in claim 5, wherein a reinforcing
stepped portion is formed in a medial portion of the base plate and
extends toward the rear flange.
10. The bracket as set forth in claim 5, wherein reinforcing side
flanges are provided on both side edges of the base plate so that
the side flanges are integrally connected to the base plate and the
rear flange.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2011-0035521 filed on Apr. 18, 2011, the entire
contents of which is incorporated herein for purposes by this
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a structure for mounting a
transmission to a vehicle body and a bracket for mounting the
transmission to the vehicle body that can enhance coupling force
between the transmission and the vehicle body so that noise and
vibration generated in the vehicle body by the operation of a
powertrain are mitigated.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Generally, a transmission that forms a powertrain along with
an engine changes rotational force and speed of the engine in
response to drive conditions of the vehicle before transmitting the
power to drive wheels. The transmission has a transmission housing.
The transmission housing includes a transmission casing that
protects a variety of components of the transmission, and a rear
cover that closes an open rear end of the transmission casing.
[0006] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, such a transmission 10 is mounted
to a vehicle body 40 by a transmission mounting bracket 20 in such
a way that a rear cover 13 is oriented towards the rear of the
vehicle.
[0007] In detail, in the structure for mounting the transmission 10
to the vehicle body 40 according to the conventional art, the
transmission mounting bracket 20 is coupled to an upper end of a
transmission casing 11. The transmission mounting bracket 20 is
coupled to an insulator 30 by a bolt 31. The insulator 30 is
mounted to the vehicle body 40.
[0008] Typically, the transmission mounting bracket 20 is coupled
to the upper end of the transmission casing 11 by four bolts 50 to
form a four-point fastening structure.
[0009] However, in the conventional mounting structure, because
only the transmission casing 11 is coupled to the transmission
mounting bracket 20, a minimum distance L1 between the vehicle body
40 and the coupling points M1 at which the transmission mounting
bracket 20 is coupled to the transmission casing 11 by the bolts 50
is comparatively long. Thereby, considering the weight of the
powertrain, the coupling force between the transmission 10 and the
vehicle body 40 is comparatively low.
[0010] As such, in conditions of the comparatively low coupling
force between the transmission 10 and the vehicle body 40,
vibration and noise that are generated by the operation of the oil
pump, belts, and gears are amplified and then transmitted to the
vehicle body 40. An excessive amount of noise and vibration
transmitted to the vehicle body 40 resulting from the operation of
the powertrain induces dissatisfaction of consumers.
[0011] The information disclosed in this Background of the
Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the
general background of the invention and should not be taken as an
acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information
forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the
art.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0012] Various aspects of the present invention are directed to
providing a structure for mounting a transmission to a vehicle body
and a bracket for mounting the transmission to the vehicle body
that can enhance coupling force between the transmission and the
vehicle body so that noise and vibration transmitted to the vehicle
body are mitigated, thus improving consumer preferences for the
vehicle.
[0013] In an aspect of the present invention, a structure for
mounting a transmission to a vehicle body may include a
transmission mounting bracket coupled both to a transmission casing
of the transmission and to a rear cover coupled to the transmission
casing, wherein the transmission mounting bracket may be coupled to
an insulator, and the insulator may be mounted to the vehicle
body.
[0014] The transmission mounting bracket may be coupled both to an
upper end of the transmission casing and a rear surface of the rear
cover that faces the vehicle body.
[0015] The transmission mounting bracket may be coupled to the
upper end of the transmission casing by bolts at at least four
fastening points, and the transmission mounting bracket may be
coupled to the rear cover by a bolt at at least one fastening
point.
[0016] A position at which the transmission mounting bracket may be
coupled to the rear cover may be adjacent to the upper end of the
transmission casing.
[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, a bracket for
mounting a transmission to a vehicle body, may include a base plate
coupled to a transmission casing of the transmission, a rear flange
bent from the base plate and extending in a predetermined length
therefrom, the rear flange being coupled to an insulator, and a
flange boss extending from the rear flange, the flange boss being
coupled to a rear cover coupled to the transmission casing of the
transmission.
[0018] The insulator may be mounted to the vehicle body.
[0019] The base plate may be coupled to an upper end of the
transmission casing, and the flange boss extends downwards with
respect to the base plate and may be coupled to a rear surface of
the rear cover that faces the vehicle body.
[0020] At least four bolt holes may be formed through the base
plate so that the base plate may be coupled to the upper end of the
transmission casing by bolts through the bolt holes, and at least
one bolt hole may be formed through the flange boss so that the
flange boss may be coupled to the rear surface of the rear cover by
a bolt through the bolt hole.
[0021] A reinforcing stepped portion may be formed in a medial
portion of the base plate and extends toward the rear flange.
[0022] Reinforcing side flanges may be provided on both side edges
of the base plate so that the side flanges may be integrally
connected to the base plate and the rear flange.
[0023] The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have
other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are
set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are
incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description, which
together serve to explain certain principles of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a structure for
mounting a transmission to a vehicle body, according to a
conventional art.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a view showing a transmission mounting bracket
fastened to an upper end of a transmission casing according to the
conventional mounting structure.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a structure for
mounting a transmission to a vehicle body, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a view showing a transmission mounting bracket
fastened to an upper end of a transmission casing and to a rear
cover according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the transmission mounting
bracket used in the mounting structure according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagramic charts comparing the magnitudes
of noise and sound generated from the vehicle body in the mounting
structure of the present invention to those of the conventional
mounting structure.
[0030] It should be understood that the appended drawings are not
necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified
representation of various features illustrative of the basic
principles of the invention. The specific design features of the
present invention as disclosed herein, including, for example,
specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be
determined in part by the particular intended application and use
environment.
[0031] In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or
equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several
figures of the drawing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments
of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings and described below. While the
invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary
embodiments, it will be understood that the present description is
not intended to limit the invention(s) to those exemplary
embodiments. On the contrary, the invention(s) is/are intended to
cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various
alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments,
which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.
[0033] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the attached
drawings.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, a transmission 10 for a
vehicle includes a transmission housing. The transmission housing
includes a transmission casing 11 that contains components therein
and protects them, and a rear cover 13 that closes an open rear end
of the transmission casing 11. The present invention is
characterized by increasing the coupling force between the
transmission 10 and the vehicle body 40.
[0035] To accomplish the above purpose, in the exemplary embodiment
of the present invention, a transmission mounting bracket 20 is
coupled both to the transmission casing 11 and to the rear cover 13
coupled to the transmission casing 11. In addition, the
transmission mounting bracket 20 is coupled to an insulator 30 by a
bolt 31, and the insulator 30 is coupled to the vehicle body
41.
[0036] In other words, the transmission mounting bracket 20 is
mounted to the transmission 10 in such a way that it is coupled
both to an upper end of the transmission casing 11 and to a rear
surface of the rear cover 13 that faces the vehicle body 40
[0037] In detail, the transmission mounting bracket 20 is coupled
to the upper end of the transmission casing 11 by bolts 50 at at
least four coupling points. The transmission mounting bracket 20 is
coupled to the rear cover 13 by a bolt 60 at at least one coupling
point.
[0038] Furthermore, it is preferable for the position at which the
transmission mounting bracket 20 is coupled to the rear cover 13 to
be adjacent to the upper end of the transmission casing 11. The
reason for this is to maximize the coupling force between the
transmission mounting bracket 20 and the rear cover 13.
[0039] That is, if the position at which the bolt 60 is tightened
into the rear cover 13 is lower than that shown in FIG. 3, and as
it is further away from the upper end of the transmission casing
11, the coupling force that is generated by the bolt 60 between the
transmission mounting bracket 20 and the rear cover 13 is reduced.
To avoid this and to maximize the coupling force between the
transmission mounting bracket 20 and the rear cover 13, the
transmission mounting bracket 20 is coupled to the rear cover 13 by
the bolt 60 at a position adjacent to the upper end of the
transmission casing 11.
[0040] The transmission mounting bracket 20 that is used in an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention to realize the
above-stated characteristic structure of the present invention
includes a base plate 21, a rear flange 23 and a flange boss 25.
The base plate 21 is coupled to the transmission casing 11. The
rear flange 23 is bent from the base plate 21, extends therefrom,
and is coupled to the insulator 30 by the bolt 31. The flange boss
25 extends from the rear flange 23 and is coupled to the rear cover
13 coupled to the transmission casing 11. The insulator 30 is
fastened to the vehicle body 40.
[0041] The base plate 21 is fastened to the upper end of the
transmission casing 11. The flange boss 25 extends downward from
the base plate 21 and is fastened to the rear surface of the rear
cover 13 that faces the vehicle body 40. The base plate 21 has at
least four bolt holes 21a through which the bolts 50 are tightened
into the transmission casing 11 to fasten the base plate 21 to the
upper end of the transmission casing 11. The flange boss 25 has at
least one bolt hole 25a through which the bolt 60 is tightened into
the rear cover 13 to fasten the flange boss 25 to the rear surface
of the rear cover 13.
[0042] Furthermore, the transmission mounting bracket 20 according
to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is preferably
configured such that a stepped portion 21b is formed in a medial
portion of the base plate 21 in a longitudinal direction of the
vehicle body to enhance the strength of the bracket 20. In
addition, side flanges 27 for reinforcing the bracket 20 are
preferably provided on both side edges of the base plate 21 in such
a way that the side flanges 27 are integrally connected to the base
plate 21 and the rear flange 23.
[0043] As such, in an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the transmission mounting bracket 20 includes the flange
boss 25 in such a way that when the base plate 21 of the
transmission mounting bracket 20 is coupled to the upper end of the
transmission casing 11, the flange boss 25 is coupled to the rear
surface of the rear cover 13 that faces the vehicle body 40. Thus,
a minimum distance L2 between the vehicle body 40 and the coupling
points M2 at which the transmission mounting bracket 20 is coupled
to the transmission 10 by the bolts 50 is markedly reduced.
Thereby, the force with which the transmission 10 is coupled to the
vehicle body 40 can be markedly enhanced.
[0044] In other words, in the conventional art, the transmission
mounting bracket 20 is coupled only to the upper end of the
transmission casing 11, so that the minimum distance between the
vehicle body 40 and a coupling point M1 at which the transmission
mounting bracket 20 is coupled to the transmission casing 11 is
L1.
[0045] However, in an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the transmission mounting bracket 20 is coupled both to
the upper end of the transmission casing 11 and to the rear cover
13. Thus, the minimum distance between the vehicle body 40 and the
coupling points M2 at which the transmission mounting bracket 20 is
coupled to the transmission 10 is L2, which is markedly less than
L1 of the conventional art.
[0046] As such, when the minimum distance L2 between the vehicle
body 40 and the coupling points M2 of the transmission 10 is
markedly less than that of the conventional art, the coupling force
between the transmission 10 and the vehicle body 40 is markedly
increased compared to that of the conventional art, particularly
considering the weight of the powertrain. As a result, the present
invention can reliably reduce vibration and noise that are
generated during the operation of the oil pump, belts, and gears
and are transmitted to the vehicle body 40.
[0047] Therefore, in an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the enhanced coupling force between the transmission 10
and the vehicle body 40 markedly reduces vibration and noise
generated by the operation of the powertrain in the vehicle body
40. Thereby, consumer preferences for vehicles can be increased,
thus enhancing the marketability of the vehicles.
[0048] FIG. 6 shows an analysis of vibration generated in the
vehicle body 10 when the oil pump is operated. The magnitude of
vibration generated in the vehicle body 40 by the operation of the
oil pump is largest in a band A1 at around 1000 Hz. As can be
understood from the results of measurement in the band A1 at around
1000 Hz, the mounting structure of the present invention reduced
vibration by about 10 dB compared to that of the mounting structure
of the conventional art.
[0049] Furthermore, FIG. 7 is a diagramic chart showing the
magnitude of noise generated in the vehicle body 40 by the
operation of the belts of the powertrain. The magnitude of noise
generated by the belts is largest in a band A2 ranging from about
750 Hz to about 1100 Hz. As can be understood from the results of
measurement in the band A2 ranging from about 750 Hz to about 1100
Hz, the mounting structure of the present invention reduced
vibration by about 10 dB compared to that of the mounting structure
of the conventional art.
[0050] Meanwhile, in FIGS. 4 and 5, reference numeral 29 denotes a
bolt hole formed in the rear flange 23 of the transmission mounting
bracket 20. The bolt 31 for coupling to the insulator 30 is
tightened into the bolt hole 29.
[0051] As described above, in an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, a transmission mounting bracket can enhance
coupling force between a transmission and a vehicle body. Thereby,
vibration and noise generated in the vehicle body by the operation
of the powertrain can be markedly reduced, thus improving consumer
preferences for the vehicle.
[0052] For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in
the appended claims, the terms "upper", "lower", "inner" and
"outer" are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments
with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in
the figures.
[0053] The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments
of the present invention have been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. They are not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms
disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are
possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments
were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of
the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable
others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary
embodiments of the present invention, as well as various
alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the
scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and
their equivalents.
* * * * *